Pat Regan's Blog, page 51
January 31, 2019
Solar Halo spotted over Southport Pier
Known as a 22 degree halo or a sun halo, the ring is caused by sunlight passing through ice crystals in cirrus clouds within the Earth's atmosphere. Sometimes a higher/larger sun halo is also seen, which is called the supralateral arc.
Most halos appear as bright white rings but in some instances, the dispersion of light as it passes through ice crystals found in upper-level cirrus clouds can cause a halo to have colour. Light undergoes two refractions as it passes through an ice crystal...
Formby: road accident by the Grapes Hotel
A black Ford car was involved in a road accident this morning in Formby. This happened shortly before 9.00 am at the roundabout of Church Road and Piercefield Road, near to the Grapes Hotel.
The vehicle sustained significant damage to side panels and doors. It is not yet known what actually caused the accident or if any other vehicles were involved. Emergency services attended the scene.
Has your road been properly gritted?
Claims were made recently by angry motorists that some roads...
January 30, 2019
Woodvale Charity – using photos without permission again!
Seeking correct permission to use the photographic work taken by another person is only a matter of politeness to most respectable people.
However, this common courtesy does not seem to apply to the Woodvale and Ainsdale Community Association (WACA), who make a habit of taking what they want without asking permission.
My work party photo of ex-councillor Ted Hartill’s parents (above) has been taken without my permission from the original WWP (Woodvale Woodland Project) website and used to...
January 21, 2019
No Met Office warnings for Southport as the fog rolls in
The Met Office gave no fog warning for Southport/Ainsdale this morning. However, this was the scene in Southport after the experts had predicted a 'bright start'. Sunrise occurred at 8.13 am and the images herein were all taken well after the day had started.
Above: Ghostly conditions in Woodvale woodlands at 9.30 am.
Above: The view over the railway bridge at Kenilworth Road this morning.
Above: The bottom end of Ainsdale's Meadow Lane was affected by lingering fog. 
Some ar...
January 18, 2019
Helicopter operations at Altcar before the first snow
Support helicopters have been operating in and around Altcar Training Camp and the beach area. It was anticipated by the RAF that noise levels would increase within the period stated (13-18 January 2019) and at varying times throughout each day.
Chinooks this morning against a cold dull sky, just before the first snow flurry arrived.
Above: Snow this morning pictured a little farther north in Ainsdale
Above: Wildcat maritime surveillance and attack helicopters.
Above: Wildcat helicopter...
January 11, 2019
Frantic mum’s letter to Southport MP over Universal Credit failure
Universal Credit failing Southport Mum who writes in desperation to Southport MP for help.
OTS News received the following letter (which we print as written and unedited) today from a desperate Southport mother, who is struggling hard under the new Universal Credit scheme.
Attn: Damien Moore MP
Southport
Friday 11 January 2019
From
Melanie Houghton
Southport
Merseyside
“Dear Damien Moore,
Hope you are well, I have never written to my MP before, however I do feel that it’s time that I speak up for...
January 4, 2019
Cold weather ahead: remember to help our feathered friends
With the icy weather arriving, spare a thought for the poor old birds.
Suet blocks and fatballs are a valued source of energy and particularly popular with all tit species. Avoid netted fatballs because birds have been known to get snarled up in the netting. Instead, use a fatball feeder or place straight on the bird table.
Feeders come in a diversity of styles. Metal ones are normally longer-lasting. Mesh feeders are mainly used for supplying peanuts and pellets. Seed tubes will attract an ext...
December 31, 2018
Universal Credit: DWP “culture of indifference” claim Public Accounts Committee
A Westminster committee is the latest organisation to condemn the UK Government’s flagship welfare reform, Universal Credit.
In a recent report, the Public Accounts Committee (a select committee of MPs which scrutinises government spending) says the rollout of Universal Credit by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is leading to increased debt, rent arrears and food bank use.
Public Accounts Committee Chair Meg Millier MP said: “This report provides further damning evidence of a cu...
December 30, 2018
Labour vote 'en masse' (again) to eradicate more Sefton countryside
More precious green space is set to be destroyed, thanks to customary environmental apathy off the Bootle committee, as residential concerns are dismissed by councillors.
A 68 homes Formby housing development was approved in November on top of the 304 for the Liverpool Road development. Objections have flowed in yet been ultimately dismissed.
Tory Cllr Denise Dutton, Deputy Leader of Conservative Group, attended the meeting and was one of a minority that voted against the eco-destructive...
December 24, 2018
Officially – sanctioned destruction of the English countryside
Reports indicate that Sefton Council has approved developers' eco-destructive plans to create in excess of 1000 homes. The majority of properties will be built in Southport and Formby areas with the rest in Aintree, Hightown, Maghull, Waterloo and Blundellsands.Protection for our vanishing countryside has been further diminished, it is claimed, thanks to the Coalition government’s 2012 publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Updates are on the following link.
https://www....
